| Title | Current Situation of Geothermal Development and Geothermal Technology Development in Japan (1997) |
|---|---|
| Authors | NEDO |
| Year | 1997 |
| Conference | Japan International Geothermal Symposium |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | 1. Geothermal Development in Japan: Current Situation and Issues Located on the circum-Pacific volcanic belt, Japan is blessed with abundant geothermal resources. Trial calculations indicate that ten percent of the geothermal energy in the earth's crust is released in the Japanese archipelago and neighboring areas. Japan has geothermal energy power generation operations in sixteen locations, facilities with a total capacity of approximately 530 megawatts (Table 1 & Figure 1). Japan ranks fifth in geothermal power generation in the world; however, compared to 2,850 megawatts in the US. and 1,400 megawatts in the Philippines, it must be said that the capacity in Japan still remains at a relatively low leveL This is due to the following circumstances in Japan: (1) Most areas with available geothermal energy are located in natural parks. Due to the particular concern regarding influences on hot springs, much time is needed for the adjustments required to locate industries, including geothermal power generation plants. (2) Since effective survey techniques are not fully established, the development risks are large. (3) The development lead times are long, i.e. from the start of investigations to the construction of power generation plante s). (4) As a result, the total power generation cost is higher than for other resources. In addition, Japanese geothermal energy developers have had to restrain development due to the low and stable prices of crude oil in recent years. In the long-range energy outlook for Japan formulated in June 1994, the production targets for geothermal energy development are 600 megawatts in total for the year 2000, and 2,800 megawatts for the year 2010. Although the objective for the year 2000 is attainable, the objective for the year 2010 requires a further increase of 2,200 megawatts of power generation capacity. Considering that the Matsukawa power generation plant, the first in Japan, started operation in 1966 and that Japan has finally reached a total of 530 megawatts after thirty years ofoperations, extraordinary efforts will be required to reach the objective. 2. Geothermal Technology Development On the occasion ofthe outbreak ofthe fourth Mideast War and the subsequent oil crisis in 1973, Japan embarked on efforts to promote the exploitation of alternative energy sources to replace oil. In 1974, the Sunshine Project Promotion Division was established at the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, Ministry of International Trade and Industry; and inthe New Energy Development Organization(NEDO) was established. Since this time, Japan has endeavored to develop new energy sources. It is important to promote technology development from an integrated standpoint, particularly when faced with existing global environment issues, in order to carry forward a single package of balanced measures that combine the three goals of economic growth, assurance of stable energy supplies, and environmental conservation. Furthermore, from a technology standpoint, it is necessary to accelerate the development of energy and environmental technology in an efficient way. The New Sunshine Project was inaugurated, from this point of view, with the aim of maintaining sustainable growth and solving energy and environment issues at the same time. Japan is at the starting point of this innovative technological development. National research institutes are at the core ofgeothermal technology development in Japan, and include , the Geological Survey Bureau, the Integrated Research Institute for Resource and Environmental Technology, and the Tohoku Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, among others. In order to promote geothermal energy development, the following will be necessary: (1) increased exploring of deeper parts ofthe earth and areas in close proximity to existing development regions which have less restrictions on the location of industry; (2) reduction of development risk through development of new probing technology; (3) reduction of excavation costs and shortening of lead times with improved excavation techniques; and (4) more rapid development of application technologies for yet untapped geothermal energy resources such as hot dry rock resources and medium-and hightemperature hot water resources. |